Seven Mile Bridge

Seven Mile Bridge is one of several bridges along US 1 in the Keys where the road is called the Overseas Highway.  This bridge connects Knights Key which is part of the city of Marathon in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key which is in the Lower Keys.  The remains of the much older & original bridge called the Knights Key-Pigeon Key-Moser Channel-Pacet Channel Bridge  built by Henry Flagler as part of the Overseas Railroad between 1909 and 1912.  A hurricane in 1935 inflicted significant damage to the railroad, at which time it was sold to the government which refurbished the bridge for use by automobile.  A large portion of the original bridge still exists and is used as a fishing pier and provides access to Pigeon Key.  A new bridge was built between 1978 and 1982.  The bridge was completed ahead of schedule earning an Exceptional Award for Cost Savings Innovation--something to be applauded in this time of cost over runs and government overspending .

For those  who enjoy Trivia Nights at the local pizza place--the bridge has been featured in several films--True Lies with Jamie Lee Curtis and Arnold Schwarzenegger, License to Kill -a James Bond (Timothy Dalton film), 2 Fast 2 Furious-didn't see it don't know the actors, and Mission Impossible III featuring Tom Cruise.

The old bridge extends about 2 miles to Pigeon Key.   We walked from the marina to the bridge and on our return trip walked under the bridge to see the other side to discover and restaurant and more fishing spots. 

Heading back to the marina because both Piper and I were tired we passed the Pigeon Key Visitor Center and Gift Shop appropriately housed in a train car. 

 

 Joy